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2001 Dodge RAM 1500

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most RAM 1500 years

Owner complaints for the 2001 Dodge RAM 1500 are substantially higher than the model-year median of 520.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

741 reports with mileage · 371 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Structure. Review the 548 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 95 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 84 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

65 crash reports34 fire reports65 injury reports

What owners actually said

1,112 reports
Mileage unknown · Dec 18, 2008
Structure

I PURCHASED MY 2001 DODGE RAM NEW AND IN LESS THAN 2 YEARS IT BEGAN TO CRACK. SHORTLY AFTERWARDS PIECES BEGIN TO BREAK OUT. NOW I HAVE NO DASH CAP LEFT. WHEN IT BEGIN CRACKING, ABOUT 15 MONTHS. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DODGE DEALER AND WAS TOLD IT WAS NOT COVERED AND SHOULD NOT GET WORST. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10252214

90,000 miles · Dec 16, 2008
Structure

I HAVE A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500. THE DASH STARTED CRACKING ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF AGO. I WAS DRIVING DOWN HE ROAD AND HEARD THIS LOUD POP AND PULLED OVER THINKING A ROCK HIT THE WINDSHIELD. I NOTICED THEN THE DASH WAS CRACKED AND SEPARATED. NOW I CAN STICK MY ARM IN PARTS OF MY DASH. I HAVE HOLES AND CRACKS ALL OVER THE DASH AND P…

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I HAVE A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500. THE DASH STARTED CRACKING ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF AGO. I WAS DRIVING DOWN HE ROAD AND HEARD THIS LOUD POP AND PULLED OVER THINKING A ROCK HIT THE WINDSHIELD. I NOTICED THEN THE DASH WAS CRACKED AND SEPARATED. NOW I CAN STICK MY ARM IN PARTS OF MY DASH. I HAVE HOLES AND CRACKS ALL OVER THE DASH AND PIECES KEEP FALLING OUT WHILE I DRIVE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10252034

83,000 miles · Dec 15, 2008
Structure

2001 DODGE RAM 1500 DASHBOARD CRACKED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10251898

Mileage unknown · Dec 15, 2008
Structure

I OWN A 2001 DODGE RAM PICKUP AND THE DASH IS CRACKING IN SEVERAL PLACES. SPOKE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THESE ARE SEVERAL LARGE CRACKS ONE COMES FROM DEFROST VENT TOWARDS DRIVER AND HAS STARTED TO CURVE DOWN TOWARD INSTRUMENT PANEL, ONE OTHER HAS GONE BEHIND PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. AT WHAT POINT…

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I OWN A 2001 DODGE RAM PICKUP AND THE DASH IS CRACKING IN SEVERAL PLACES. SPOKE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THESE ARE SEVERAL LARGE CRACKS ONE COMES FROM DEFROST VENT TOWARDS DRIVER AND HAS STARTED TO CURVE DOWN TOWARD INSTRUMENT PANEL, ONE OTHER HAS GONE BEHIND PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. AT WHAT POINT IS CHRYSLER GOING TO DO RECALL WHEN SOMEONE IS KILLED? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10251824

50,000 miles · Dec 14, 2008
Structure

I HAVE A 2001 DODGER RAM 1500 THAT I BOUGHT USED AROUND NOV. 2005. WHEN I BOUGHT IT I DIDN'T REALLY NOTICE ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE DASH, BUT THEN A FEW MONTHS LATER AROUND 50,000 MILES, I NOTICED A COUPLE OF CRACKS NEAR THE WINDSHIELD GOING ACROSS THE DEFROST VENTS. SINCE THEN MY DASH HAS ABOUT 12-15 CRACKS IN IT ALL GOING FROM …

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I HAVE A 2001 DODGER RAM 1500 THAT I BOUGHT USED AROUND NOV. 2005. WHEN I BOUGHT IT I DIDN'T REALLY NOTICE ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE DASH, BUT THEN A FEW MONTHS LATER AROUND 50,000 MILES, I NOTICED A COUPLE OF CRACKS NEAR THE WINDSHIELD GOING ACROSS THE DEFROST VENTS. SINCE THEN MY DASH HAS ABOUT 12-15 CRACKS IN IT ALL GOING FROM THE WINDSHIELD ALL THE WAY TO THE INSTRUMENT BEZEL AND THE AREA NEAR THE PASSENGER AIRBAG. I CONTACTED CHRYSLER ABOUT THE SITUATION ABOUT A YEAR AGO WHEN IT STARTED TO GET REAL BAD AND THEY TOLD ME TO TAKE IT TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC RAN ON IT (IT IS A PLASTIC DASH, WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO RUN). AFTER HAVING A CERTIFIED CHRYSLER MECHANIC INSPECT THE DASH AND TELL ME "YEP, ITS CRACKED" AND TOLD ME THAT "IT IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM DUE TO BAD PLASTIC", I THEN CALLED CHRYSLER BACK AND THEY SAID "THAT THERE WAS NOT A RECALL ON THAT ITEM, THE VEHICLE IS TOO OLD AND TOO MANY MILES FOR THEM TO REPLACE IT AND THAT NOW I KNOW THAT I HAVE TO REPLACE THE DASH." THE DEALER THEN TOLD ME THAT THE DASH WAS ON BACK ORDER FOR ABOUT 2 YEARS. THE VERY SHARP PIECES OF THE DASH NOW STICK UP AND OUT TOWARD THE PASSENGERS IN CERTAIN AREAS AND WEATHER CONDITIONS. IT ALSO STARTED CRACKING THE INSTRUMENT BEZEL TOO. I AM JUST WAITING FOR THE WHOLE DASH TO FALL APART ON DAY. OBVIOUSLY THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH 2001 DODGE RAMS AND I THINK THAT CHRYSLER SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR POOR CRAFTSMANSHIP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10251743

64,000 miles · Dec 11, 2008
Structure

2001 DODGE RAM DASHBOARD WITH SEVERE CRACKS - DEFECTIVE PART - POOR WORKMANSHIP - SHOULD BE REPLACED BY MANUFACTURER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10251479

55,000 miles · Dec 8, 2008
Structure

2001 DODGE RAM 1500 DASH CRACKED, THEN CRACKED AGAIN, AND IS NOW BREAKING APART. PASSENGER AIRBAG MAY SOON BE AFFECTED, COULD POSE A SAFETY ISSUE. THIS IS A VERY WIDESPREAD PROBLEM IN THIS YEAR/ MAKE OF VEHICLE DUE TO A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10251123

127,000 miles · Dec 8, 2008
Structure

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE FLEW BACK INTO THE WINDSHIELD. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SAFELY MANEUVER THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD. THE WINDSHIELD SUSTAINED A DOZEN OR MORE CRACKS, BUT DID NOT SHATTER. HE STRUGGLED WITH THE HOOD IN ORDER TO KEEP IT FROM BLOCKING HIS VIEW,…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE FLEW BACK INTO THE WINDSHIELD. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SAFELY MANEUVER THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD. THE WINDSHIELD SUSTAINED A DOZEN OR MORE CRACKS, BUT DID NOT SHATTER. HE STRUGGLED WITH THE HOOD IN ORDER TO KEEP IT FROM BLOCKING HIS VIEW, AND MANAGED TO TIE THE HOOD DOWN TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 127,000.

NHTSA ODI #10251122

Mileage unknown · Dec 5, 2008
Structure

THE DASHBOARD ON MY 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 TRUCK IS CRACKED IN SEVERAL PLACES FROM THE WINDSHIELD TO FRONT OF DASH. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10250807

Mileage unknown · Dec 2, 2008
Structure

CRACKED DASHBOARD ON A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 THE DASH STARTED TO CRACK ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO THEN PIECES STARTED TO BREAK OFF I GLUED THE PIECES BACK TOGETHER BUT NOW THEIR ARE OTHER CRACKS IF I WAS TO GET INTO A WRECK I WOULD NOT WANT ANY OF THESE PIECES COMING BACK AND HITTING ME OR MY FAMILY. DODGE SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL BECAUSE I A…

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CRACKED DASHBOARD ON A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 THE DASH STARTED TO CRACK ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO THEN PIECES STARTED TO BREAK OFF I GLUED THE PIECES BACK TOGETHER BUT NOW THEIR ARE OTHER CRACKS IF I WAS TO GET INTO A WRECK I WOULD NOT WANT ANY OF THESE PIECES COMING BACK AND HITTING ME OR MY FAMILY. DODGE SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL BECAUSE I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10250542

Official recalls

2

03V504000 · Tires

Dec 10, 2003

ON CERTAIN 4X4 PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH THE SNOW PLOW PREPARATION PACKAGE, THE TIRES SUPPLIED ON SOME VEHICLES MAY HAVE GROSS AXLE WEIGHT RATINGS THAT SLIGHTLY EXCEED THE MAXIMUM TIRE LOAD CAPACITY AS DEFINED IN FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 120, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Not supplied

Remedy: DEALERS WILL PROVIDE REPLACEMENT P245/75R16 TIRES TO MEET THE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY SPECIFIED ON THE VEHICLE CERTIFICATION LABEL AND ACCOMMODATE THE ADDITION OF A COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE SNOW PLOW AND HARDWARE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 22, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-992-1997.

01V153000 · Air Bags

May 8, 2001

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP TRUCKS. SOUND DEADENER MATERIAL INSIDE THE STEERING WHEEL COULD BECOME DETACHED FROM THE COVER AND HOUSING. NOTE: THE RAM PICKUP TRUCKS WERE BUILT AT THE WARREN ASSEMBLY PLANT ("S" IN THE 11TH VIN POSITION) FROM MAY 16, 2000 THROUGH OCTOBER 23, 2000; ST. LOUIS NORTH ASSEMBLY PLANT ("J" IN THE 11TH VIN POSITION) FROM MAY 19, 2000 THROUGH OCTOBER 23, 2000; LAGO ALBERTO ASSEMBLY PLANT ("M" IN THE 11TH VIN POSITION) FROM MAY 23, 2000 THROUGH OCTOBER 23, 2000; AND SALTILLO ASSEMBLY PLANT ("G" IN THE 11TH VIN POSITION) FROM MAY 23, 2000 THROUGH OCTOBER 23, 2000. IMPORTANT: VEHICLES THAT HAVE ALREADY HAD THE PROPER CLOCKSPRING INSTALLED, ACCORDING TO WARRANTY RECORDS, HAVE BEEN EXCLUDED FROM THIS RECALL. IN ADDITION, 1997-2000 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES THAT HAVE HAD A SUSPECT REPLACEMENT CLOCKSPRING INSTALLED, ACCORDING TO WARRANTY RECORDS, HAVE BEEN ADDED TO THIS RECALL.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE MATERIAL COULD INTERFERE WITH THE CLOCKSPRING RIBBON AND CAUSE AN OPEN CIRCUIT. THE DRIVER AIR BAG SYSTEM WILL BECOME DISABLED, AND THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP WILL ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 18, 2001. ALSO SOME 1997-200 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES THAT, ACCORDING TO WARRANTY RECORDS, HAVE HAD A SUSPECT REPLACEMENT CLOCKSPRING INSTALLED, WILL ALSO BE INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

2

PE08047 · 2000-2001 Dodge RAM Pickup Hood Latch

Opened Jul 25, 2008 · Closed Dec 17, 2008

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch; Structure:body:hood:hinge And Attachments

THE AGENCY OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION BASED ON 30 COMPLAINTS ALLEGING THAT THE HOODS ON MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000 AND 2001 DODGE RAM PICKUP TRUCKS FLEW UP AND BLOCKED THE DRIVER'S VISION.THESE VEHICLES HAVE A PRIMARY HOOD LATCH AND A SECONDARY (BACKUP) HOOD LATCH.THE SECONDARY LATCH IS DESIGNED TO SECURE THE HOOD IF THE PRIMARY HOOD LATCH IS NOT PROPERLY CLOSED OR OTHERWISE MALFUNCTIONS.IN THESE COMPLAINTS, THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH MALFUNCTIONED, APPARENTLY DUE TO CORROSION, AND DID NOT LATCH.DODGE CONDUCTED RECALL 01V-040 IN 1999 TO ADDRESS SIMILAR PROBLEMS ON MODEL YEAR 1994-1997 DODGE RAM PICKUP TRUCKS.THE INFORMATION CHRYSLER PROVIDED IN RESPONSE TO ODI'S INFORMATION REQUEST LETTER INDICATED THAT THE MY 2000 AND 2001 VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH SECONDARY HOOD LATCHES WITH STAINLESS STEEL RETURN SPRINGS, AS OPPOSED TO THE EARLIER RECALLED TRUCKS THAT HAD ZINC COATED CARBON STEEL RETURN SPRINGS.THE RECALLED COMPONENTS WERE SUSCEPTIBLE TO CORROSION-INDUCED FAILURE DUE TO THE TYPE OF MATERIAL USED, WHEREAS THE CORROSION FAILURES IN THE NEWER MODELS APPEAR TO BE DUE TO LUBRICATION LOSS OVER TIME (REGULAR APPLICATION OF GREASE IS ADVISED PER INSTRUCTIONS IN THE OWNERS' MANUAL). ODI'S REVIEW OF CHRYSLER'S WARRANTY, COMPLAINT, AND INJURY DATA FOR THE 2000 AND 2001 VEHICLES INDICATES THAT THE RATES FOR SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE LOW AND ARE DECLINING.A POTENTIAL DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED.THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch

THE AGENCY OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION BASED ON 30 COMPLAINTS ALLEGING THAT THE HOODS ON MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000 AND 2001 DODGE RAM PICKUP TRUCKS FLEW UP AND BLOCKED THE DRIVER'S VISION.THESE VEHICLES HAVE A PRIMARY HOOD LATCH AND A SECONDARY (BACKUP) HOOD LATCH.THE SECONDARY LATCH IS DESIGNED TO SECURE THE HOOD IF THE PRIMARY HOOD LATCH IS NOT PROPERLY CLOSED OR OTHERWISE MALFUNCTIONS.IN THESE COMPLAINTS, THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH MALFUNCTIONED, APPARENTLY DUE TO CORROSION, AND DID NOT LATCH.DODGE CONDUCTED RECALL 01V-040 IN 1999 TO ADDRESS SIMILAR PROBLEMS ON MODEL YEAR 1994-1997 DODGE RAM PICKUP TRUCKS.THE INFORMATION CHRYSLER PROVIDED IN RESPONSE TO ODI'S INFORMATION REQUEST LETTER INDICATED THAT THE MY 2000 AND 2001 VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH SECONDARY HOOD LATCHES WITH STAINLESS STEEL RETURN SPRINGS, AS OPPOSED TO THE EARLIER RECALLED TRUCKS THAT HAD ZINC COATED CARBON STEEL RETURN SPRINGS.THE RECALLED COMPONENTS WERE SUSCEPTIBLE TO CORROSION-INDUCED FAILURE DUE TO THE TYPE OF MATERIAL USED, WHEREAS THE CORROSION FAILURES IN THE NEWER MODELS APPEAR TO BE DUE TO LUBRICATION LOSS OVER TIME (REGULAR APPLICATION OF GREASE IS ADVISED PER INSTRUCTIONS IN THE OWNERS' MANUAL). ODI'S REVIEW OF CHRYSLER'S WARRANTY, COMPLAINT, AND INJURY DATA FOR THE 2000 AND 2001 VEHICLES INDICATES THAT THE RATES FOR SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE LOW AND ARE DECLINING.A POTENTIAL DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED.THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.

Structure:body:hood:hinge And Attachments

THE AGENCY OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION BASED ON 30 COMPLAINTS ALLEGING THAT THE HOODS ON MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000 AND 2001 DODGE RAM PICKUP TRUCKS FLEW UP AND BLOCKED THE DRIVER'S VISION.THESE VEHICLES HAVE A PRIMARY HOOD LATCH AND A SECONDARY (BACKUP) HOOD LATCH.THE SECONDARY LATCH IS DESIGNED TO SECURE THE HOOD IF THE PRIMARY HOOD LATCH IS NOT PROPERLY CLOSED OR OTHERWISE MALFUNCTIONS.IN THESE COMPLAINTS, THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH MALFUNCTIONED, APPARENTLY DUE TO CORROSION, AND DID NOT LATCH.DODGE CONDUCTED RECALL 01V-040 IN 1999 TO ADDRESS SIMILAR PROBLEMS ON MODEL YEAR 1994-1997 DODGE RAM PICKUP TRUCKS.THE INFORMATION CHRYSLER PROVIDED IN RESPONSE TO ODI'S INFORMATION REQUEST LETTER INDICATED THAT THE MY 2000 AND 2001 VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH SECONDARY HOOD LATCHES WITH STAINLESS STEEL RETURN SPRINGS, AS OPPOSED TO THE EARLIER RECALLED TRUCKS THAT HAD ZINC COATED CARBON STEEL RETURN SPRINGS.THE RECALLED COMPONENTS WERE SUSCEPTIBLE TO CORROSION-INDUCED FAILURE DUE TO THE TYPE OF MATERIAL USED, WHEREAS THE CORROSION FAILURES IN THE NEWER MODELS APPEAR TO BE DUE TO LUBRICATION LOSS OVER TIME (REGULAR APPLICATION OF GREASE IS ADVISED PER INSTRUCTIONS IN THE OWNERS' MANUAL). ODI'S REVIEW OF CHRYSLER'S WARRANTY, COMPLAINT, AND INJURY DATA FOR THE 2000 AND 2001 VEHICLES INDICATES THAT THE RATES FOR SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE LOW AND ARE DECLINING.A POTENTIAL DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED.THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.

PE00025 · Rear Safety Belt Anchorage Disengagement

Opened Jul 6, 2000 · Closed Dec 27, 2000

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts:rear/other

ALLEGE THAT BOTH REAR INBOARD SAFETY BELT ANCHORAGES WERE FOUND TO LACK PROPER ATTACHMENTS.